Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Lichet 1086 DB 1297 Ipm 1357 Pat

• Litsed 1236 Fees

• Lischet 1243 ib

• Liscete 1244 Ass

• Licet l13 AddCh

• Lychet 1288 Ass 1357,1399 Cl

• Lycchet 1314 Ipm

• Lichette, Lychette 1339 Pat

• Lic(c)het(t) Mautrauers, Lyc(c)het(t) Mautrauers, Lyc(c)het(t) Mautravers(e) 1280,1288 Ass 1293 Ilch 1484 Eton

• Lyc(c)het(t) Mautrevers(e) 1340 NI 1416 Pat

• Lyc(c)het(t) Mawtravers 1461 DCMDeed

• Lyc(c)het(t) Matravers 1508 Eton 1588 AddCh

• Lisset Ma(u)travers 1296 Bodl 16

• Lische(t) Ma(u)travers, Lische(t) Ma(u)trauers 1327 SR 1332 SR

• Lychit Mauterveys 1451 Pat

• Litchett Matreevers 1673 Drax

• Luchet Mautravers 1291 Tax 1325 Pat 1349 Fine

• Luchet Matrauvers 1428 FA

• Lechet Mautravers 1351 Fine

• Lechiot Matreuers 1575 Saxton

• Upper Lichet, Higher Lichet 1774 Hutch1

• Higher Lytchet 1811 OS

Etymology

Probably a Brit name meaning 'grey wood' from PrWelsh  *ld and PrWelsh  *c d , as suggested by Ekwall DEPN, Jackson 327, 332–4, 563, cf. Litchett Ha and also Lichfield St with the first part of which it is identical; the same name probably occurs in Co as Ludcott, Lidcutt, etc (at least five instances) and in Wales as Llwytgoed (at least twice) (ex. inf. O. Padel). There was 'woodland ½ league in length and width' here in 1086 DB (VCHDo 391), cf. Forest Bourne Fm in Lytchett Minster par. infra . The manorial affix distinguishes it from Lytchett Minster, where some of the early unaffixed forms may strictly belong; it was held by Hugh Maltrauers in 1086 DB (VCHDo loc. cit. , Hutch3 3 314; his surname is given in Exon p. 410 (So)), and by John Mautravers in 1306 Ch, 1327SR , etc, cf. Langton Matravers 133. It was also called Upper Lichet , Higher Lichet 1774 Hutch1, Higher Lytchet 1811 OS, cf. Lytchett Minster par. infra .